A super slimmer is proving to be a winner at the losing game after shedding almost 8st and being named St Eunan’s Letterkenny Slimming World ‘Miss Slinky’ 2016.
Well known local florist Caroline Alcorn won the title, which was awarded to the member of the St Eunans GAA Clubhouse Slimming World group because of her magnificent weight loss.
She says her weight loss has changed her life.
“I feel like a new woman since losing weight – in fact, I look so different that people who I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person. People come into the shop and don’t recognise me, I often get asked if I am Caroline’s younger sister or daughter.
“For me though it’s the change on the inside that’s been the biggest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident.”
After hearing about it from a friend,Caroline decided to join her local Slimming World group at St Eunan’s GAA Clubhouse.
The old Caroline.
She said “Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, I didn’t know what to expect. I needn’t have worried though, everyone there was so friendly especially my Consultant Catherine and I was so relieved when I found out that my weight was confidential between me and her – I’d had visions of having to tell everyone how much I weighed!
“Since then I’ve made so many friends at the group and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without their support each week. They helped me with recipes and tips and if I was ever struggling they were always there to remind me why I’d wanted to lose weight in the first place and how far I’d come since first stepping through the doors.”
Caroline followed the club’s Food Optimising eating plan and found ways to make her favourite Chicken Casserole Slimming World friendly.
She says: “People think slimming means going hungry, eating nothing but salad or obsessively counting every calorie you eat, but it’s not like that at all at Slimming World. I love food and it’s never once felt like I was on ‘a diet’ – in fact, people are always surprised at how much food I have on my plate and can’t believe I’m losing weight eating so much delicious food and without ever feeling hungry.
“I still enjoy all my favourite meals like burgers and chips and roast dinners but I’ve learned how to make small changes like using lean meat or cooking with low calorie spray instead of oil or butter. It fits in really well with my busy life.”
Now Caroline has lost a total of 7st 10lb and gone done so many dress sizes she has had to get a whole new wardrobe.
She even got invited into local boutique Pure Occasional wear for a mini makeover and photo shoot to celebrate her fabulous weight loss.
She also more active nowadays, going to the gym and swimming pool, leaving her with much more energy to run and play with her nieces and nephews.
Catherine, who runs the St Eunan GAA Clubhouse Slimming World group, says the changes seen in Caroline are incredible.
“I hope her success will inspire other people in Letterkenny who’d like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier and healthier to take action. There’s a warm welcome waiting at Slimming World and, just think, if you start today you could feel like a completely new person just like Caroline.”
